Modular game table

ABSTRACT

Described herein are modular game tables configured to have freely removable and connectable insert panels to allow a single game table to be converted to accommodate different games or different configurations as needed. In some embodiments, the interchangeable insert panels can be utilized to convert the game tables between cornhole tables and beer pong tables as needed by users.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 63/091,231 entitled Modular Game Table, filed on Oct. 13, 2020,which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND Related Field

The subject matter of the disclosure relates to modular multi-usesurfaces and, more specifically, to convertible tables that may be usedas surfaces to play popular social games such as “Beer Pong” and“Cornhole.”

Description of the Related Art

Over the past few decades, certain social games have become increasinglywidespread, especially on college campuses. Among these are twoparticularly popular games known as “Beer Pong” and “Cornhole.”

Beer Pong, also known as Beirut, is a game in which players throw a pingpong ball across a table with the intent of landing the ball in a cuppartially filled with liquid (usually beer) on the other end. The gametypically consists of opposing teams of two or more players per sidewith 6 or 10 cups set up in a triangle formation on each side. Each teamthen takes turns attempting to shoot ping-pong balls into the opposingteam's cups. If a ball lands in a cup, the cup is removed from thetable. In some versions, the contents of the cup are consumed by theopposing team as the cup is removed. The first team to eliminate all ofthe opponent's cups is the winner. Beer Pong requires the followingequipment to play: two ping pong balls; 12-20 plastic cups; and anelongated surface, often a folding table.

Cornhole (also known as Bean Bag Toss, or simply Bags) is a lawn game inwhich players take turns throwing bags of corn (or bean bags) at araised platform with a hole in the far end. A bag in the hole scores 3points, while one on remaining on the to surface of the platform afterthe round is over scores 1 point. Cumulative or differential scoring maybe used. Play continues until a team or player reaches (or exceeds) thescore of 21, with most scoring systems using a win-by-two format.Cornhole requires the following equipment: two sets of bags; twoplatforms.

Both Beer Pong and Cornhole are often played outdoors, for example, attailgate parties, at the beach, or in parks. It is therefore oftendifficult and cumbersome to carry all the equipment necessary to playthese games to the desired location, especially given the relativelylarge size of the surfaces required to play them. This is especiallytrue at gatherings where both games will be played.

Thus, there is a need for a compact, easily portable system that iscapable of conversion between distinct gameplay modes, for example, asystem that is convertible between a Beer Pong table and a Cornhole set.

Furthermore, another limitation of conventional social game tables isthat they exist in a fixed configuration in regard to their setup anddesign. Therefore, a table with modular components to adjust the designand configuration of the table would be a significant improvement in theart.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are embodiments of modular game tables that havefeatures that can be modified by removing insert panels from the tablesand replacing them with other insert panels having different features.For example, one panel might comprise cup holders to help facilitate theplaying of beer pong, while another panel might comprise holes to helpfacilitate the playing of cornhole.

In one embodiment, a modular game table comprises base table frame,comprising at least one receptacle portion configured to receive atleast one insert panel, a first insert panel comprising a firstconfiguration, and a second insert panel comprising a secondconfiguration. The table is therefore configured such that it cantransition between the first insert panel and its correspondingproperties and the second insert panel and its corresponding properties.

These and other further features and advantages of the invention wouldbe apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein likenumerals designate corresponding parts in the figures, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a modular game tableincorporating features of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,including a zoomed-in portion;

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of another embodiment of a modulargame table incorporating features of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an inverted perspective view of yet another embodiment of amodular game table incorporating features of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows an inverted perspective view of still another embodiment ofa modular game table incorporating features of the present disclosure;and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of embodimentsincorporating features of the present disclosure. However, it will beapparent to one skilled in the art that devices and methods according tothe present disclosure can be practiced without necessarily beinglimited to these specifically recited details.

Modular game tables incorporating features of the present invention caninclude a base table frame, including the frame alone, or the frame withtable legs and a connectable and removable panel. The panel can includedifferent textures, levels of friction or other physical features, likevarying holes or game fields, that can affect the playable conditions ofa social game like, for example, cornhole or can convert the table intodifferent game “modes,” for example, “cornhole mode,” or “beer pongmode.” In some embodiments, a replaceable panel can comprise differentdimensions and heights. In some embodiments, the replaceable panel canbe utilized to convert the game table into another structure, such as afood table, a bar or a cocktail serving table. Alternatively to, or inaddition to, the panel having different physical characteristics, thepanel can have different designs, for example, logos/names of popularsports teams, a “happy birthday” message, etc. This way a single tablecan be altered via a modular panel, for example, the panel correspondingto the play space of the table in order to better reflect a particularsocial event, for example, a game night, or a birthday party.

The replaceable insert panel can be configured to connect to the body ofthe table frame via the top of the table frame, for example, as shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 5, or from the bottom of the table frame, for example, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In some embodiments, the replaceable panel canbe configured to slide into a hollow groove in the side of the tableframe.

The replaceable panel can be configured to connect and disconnect fromthe table frame either directly, or through use of an intermediateconnector structure. The replaceable panel can connect and disconnectfrom the table frame utilizing a variety of different connectionmechanisms, including, but not limited to: snap-fit connections,friction-fit connections, size-fit connections, male-female connections,screws, nuts and bolts, fasteners, adhesives, hook and loop connections(e.g., Velcro®), slide-into grooves, threaded connections, or any knownconnection structure or configuration that allows for removableconnectivity.

Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examplesillustrated should be considered as exemplars, rather than aslimitations on the present invention. As used herein, the term“invention,” “device,” “method,” “present invention,” “present device,”or “present method” refers to any one of the embodiments of theinvention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, referenceto various feature(s) of the “invention,” “device,” “method,” “presentinvention,” or “present device,” or “present method” throughout thisdocument does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods mustinclude the referenced feature(s).

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state“means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing aspecific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step”clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, for example, in 35 U.S.C. §112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph. In particular, theuse of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended toinvoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112.

It is also understood that when an element or feature is referred to asbeing “on” or “adjacent” to another element or feature, it can bedirectly on or adjacent the other element or feature or interveningelements or features may also be present. It is also understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “attached,” “connected” or“coupled” to another element, it can be directly attached, connected orcoupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Incontrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly attached,”“directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there areno intervening elements present.

Please note, if used, relative terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,”“back,” “top,” “bottom'” “forward,” “reverse,” “clockwise,”“counter-clockwise,” “outer,” “inner,” “above,” “upper,” “lower,”“below,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms, have been used forconvenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particularfixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locationsand/or directions between various portions of an object.

Although ordinal terms, e.g., first, second, third, etc., may be usedherein to describe various elements or components, these elements orcomponents should not be limited by these terms. These terms are onlyused to distinguish one element or component from another element orcomponent. Thus, a first element or component discussed below could betermed a second element or component without departing from theteachings of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodimentsonly and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference todifferent views and illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments of the invention. As such, variations from theshapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturingtechniques and/or tolerances are expected. Embodiments of the inventionshould not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of theregions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes thatresult, for example, from manufacturing.

It is understood that when a first element is referred to as being“between” or “interposed between” two or more other elements, the firstelement can be directly between the two or more other elements orintervening elements may also be present between the two or more otherelements. For example, if a first element is “between” or “interposedbetween” a second and third element, the first element can be directlybetween the second and third elements with no intervening elements, orthe first element can be adjacent to one or more additional elementswith the first element and these additional elements all between thesecond and third elements.

An exemplary modular game table 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The modular gametable 100 comprises a base table frame 102, which can further compriseoptional leg portions 104, which can be freely retractable so as to foldunder the base table frame 102 and can be deployable to an active “inuse” position (as shown where the optional leg portions 104 can functionas table legs or “stands” configured to elevate the base table frame 102to a desired height off the ground. The base table frame 102 and thecorresponding optional leg portions 104 can comprise any material withsuitable structural integrity to function as a game table, including,but not limited to: metal, wood, plastic, glass, various polymers suchas polyvinylchloride (PVC) and combinations thereof.

The modular game table can further comprise one or more panel inserts106 (one shown), which can be freely connectable to and removable fromthe base table frame 102 utilizing various suitable connectionconfigurations, including, but not limited to, snap-fit connections,friction, fit connections, adhesive-based connections, male-femalecomplimentary portion connections and/or any known connectionconfiguration. The panel inserts 106 can comprise various alternativedesirable features, for example, various levels of friction to alter thedifficulty of a game, various different holes or features to change thetype of game the modular game table 100 is configured to play entirely(for example, beer pong to cornhole), the designs on the panel portionof the game table between various event-themes, holidays or sportingoccasions, and other desired interchangeable variants.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the panel insert 106 comprises aperimeter 108 comprising a high-friction material such as rubber orsilicone and the panel insert 106 comprises sufficient dimensions suchthat it will friction fit into a receptacle portion 110 of the basetable frame 102 such that the perimeter 108 of the panel insert 106 willpress against the walled portions 112 of the receptacle portion 110 andthe panel insert 106 will fit snugly therein.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the table 100 of FIG. 1, with azoomed-in view 200 of the walled portions 112, of the receptacle portion110 of the base table frame 102. As shown in the zoomed-in view 200 ofthe walled portions 112, the walled portions can comprise multiplelayers, rather than just a single layer as in other embodiments. In theembodiment shown, the walled portion 112 comprises three layers: 1) thesurface bar frame 202, the support frame 204 and the base frame 206. Thesurface bar frame comprises a configuration to receive a panel insert,such as the panel insert 106 in FIG. 1 above, for example, by comprisingdimensions or features configured to better hold or receive the panelinsert. The support frame 204 is configured to provide additionalsupport to the base table frame 102 and/or the receptacle portion 110.In some embodiments the support frame comprises metal, for example, 16gauge metal. The base frame 206 can comprise a material identical to orsimilar to the material the base table frame 102 comprises and can actas a sort of transition layer between other portions of the base tableframe 102 and the walled portions 112.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a modular game table 300, whichcomprises a base table frame 302, similar to the base table frame 102 inFIG. 1 above, further comprising leg portions 304, similar to legportions 104 in FIG. 1 above and panel inserts 306, 308, 310, 312,similar to the panel inserts 106 in FIG. 1 above. The modular game table300 likewise has four corresponding receptacle portions each similar tothe receptacle portion 110 in FIG. 1 above, but are not visible in FIG.3 as they are covered by the panel inserts 306, 308, 310, 312.Accordingly, the most notable difference between the modular game table100 in FIG. 1 and the modular game table 300 in FIG. 3 is that themodular game table 300 in FIG. 3 comprises 4 times as manyinterchangeable panel inserts. Also of note is that the panel insert 312in FIG. 3 comprises indentations 314, which can function as a componentof a particular game, in some embodiments, for example a hole forcornhole, or can comprise cup holders, either for use in beer pong orsimply to function as regular cup holders for convenience purposes asparticipants set down their drinks to utilize the table to play games.Another difference of the modular game table 300 is that the insertpanels 306, 308, 310, 312, can be placed into the table receptacleportions from the bottom rather than from the top as with the modulargame table 100 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a modular game table 400, whichcomprises a base table frame 402, similar to the base table frame 102 inFIG. 1 above, further comprising leg portions 404, similar to legportions 104 in FIG. 1 above and panel insert 406, similar to the panelinserts 106 in FIG above. The modular game table 400 of FIG. 4 furthercomprises locking tabs 408 at each corner to further help secure thepanel insert 406 into its respective receptacle portion (not shown as itis covered by the panel insert 406) of the base table frame 402. Thelocking tabs 408 can comprise a structure that can simply changeconfiguration to hold the insert panel 406 more securely in place suchas a tab or living hinge, and/or can comprise any known locking ofsecuring configuration.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a modular game table 500, similar tothe modular game table 300 in FIG. 3 above. The modular game table 500comprises a base table frame 502, similar to the base table frame 302 inFIG. 3 above. Base table frame 502 further comprises leg portions 504,similar to leg portions 304 in FIG. 3 above and panel inserts 506, 508,510, 512, similar to the panel inserts 306, 308, 310, 312 in FIG. 3above. The modular game table 500 likewise has four correspondingreceptacle portions each similar to the receptacle portion 110 in FIG. 1above, but, like with FIG. 3 above, are not visible in FIG. 5 as theyare covered by the panel inserts 506, 508, 510, 512. Accordingly, themost notable difference between the modular game table 500 in FIG. 5 andthe modular game table 300 in FIG. 3, is that the insert panels 506,508, 510, 512 in the modular game table 500 in FIG. 5 are connected tothe base table frame 502 from the top rather than from the bottom as isthe case with modular table game 300 in FIG. 3 above.

Although the present invention has been described in detail withreference to certain preferred configurations thereof, other versionsare possible. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise anycombination of compatible features shown in the various figures, andthese embodiments should not be limited to those expressly illustratedand discussed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention shouldnot be limited to the versions described above.

The foregoing is intended to cover all modifications and alternativeconstructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in any future appended claims, wherein no portion of thedisclosure is intended, expressly or implicitly, to be dedicated to thepublic domain if not set forth in the claims.

I claim:
 1. A modular game table comprising: a base table framecomprising at least one receptacle portion configured to receive atleast one insert panel; a first insert panel comprising a firstconfiguration; and a second insert panel comprising a secondconfiguration.